Drug (Druj) an evil demon who is the personification of the lie. The Persians: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Iran, Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. 30 Apr 2023. Other information on pre-Zoroastrian religion comes from later works known as the Bundahisn and the Denkard and, to a lesser extent, the Vendidad. Haftorang (Hastorang) one of the Four Royal Stars (modern designation Fomalhaut) which worked for good in the cause of Ahura Mazda. Even so, for his virtuous service, he was made Lord of the Dead, and the afterlife was initially known as Yima's Realm. tell our story about the . Ahura Mazda was uncreated and eternal and, by his goodness . The Kara fish swim constantly around these in order to drive away evil spirits who try to destroy them. Only Rustum was able to ride Rakhsh as Rustum's superior strength and power would have killed any other horse, although Rakhsh would not allow any other rider through devotion to Rustum. Zahak was a prince who was corrupted by the lies of Angra Mainyu, killed his father, and took the throne. He is one of the Amesha Spentas and a powerful opponent against the forces of evil. From the shadows of a global pandemic has emerged an economic hangover. Azhdaha dragons, generally; large snakes who prey on people and livestock and are the regular adversaries of the great heroes. Rustum is the greatest and best-known Persian champion, invincible in battle, who fights to maintain order and justice against the Kingdom of Turan. This world, and the next, was thought to be inhabited by invisible spirits who, just like humans, were engaged in the cosmic struggle between good and evil. At death, after three days, the urvan is reunited with the fravashi who assists it in crossing the Chinvat Bridge. Associated with, and possibly the same demon, as Vizaresha. . He is the father of Apam-Natat, the god who provides these waters to humanity. The land of Israel, and the Levant more generally, is more subject to drought than floods, so it is natural to suppose that the story originated outside this area. It lurked in the long, uncultivated grasses away from towns and cities and struck without warning except, sometimes, seems to have announced itself with a growl which sounded like a loud trumpet. When she flaps her wings, the seeds are scattered and carried away by the winds, with the help of the bird Chamrosh, to land in the earth. 30 Apr 2023. Ahura Mazda had created human beings with free will to choose which course they would follow and, if one chose rightly, one would live well and find paradise in the afterlife, if poorly, one lived a life of confusion and strife and was dropped into the torment of hell after death. These include a creation myth and a vision of afterlife, which Islam shares with the other Abrahamic . His archenemy was Angra Mainyu, spirit of evil and disorder. A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Sohrab grows up to become a great warrior and is given the armband so he can prove to Rustum he is his son when they meet but, when this happens, they are fighting on opposite sides and Rustum kills Sohrab before the armband is shown. Rustum is born and, after one day, is the size and strength of a one-year-old and continues growing quickly to the height of a cypress tree and with the strength of an elephant (Curtis, 39). This exact theme is the foundation of virtually every ancient world religion to one degree or another, but for the Persians, it amounted to the meaning of existence. Karsasp (Keresaspa, Garshasp) the great hero who defeated Gandareva, Karmak, and engaged in many other adventures. Please support World History Encyclopedia. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Many years after this, another set of twins is born who will become the progenitors of humanity. However one chose would then dictate the quality of one's life and, naturally, one's afterlife. On the side of good was a pantheon of gods and spirits presided over by the supreme deity Ahura Mazda, the creator of all things seen and unseen, and, opposing these, was Angra Mainyu (also given as Ahriman), the spirit of evil, chaos, and confusion with his legion of demons and assorted supernatural (and natural) creatures and animals. After some time, news comes to Sam's court of a great hero living in the mountains and, at the same time, Sam dreams of his son alive again and is encouraged to go find him. World History Encyclopedia. His name means smiting of resistance, and he epitomizes the concept of victory. Fourth edition, new print. Guardian of the summer solstice. The Vendidad text provides insight on how one should practice Zoroastrianism and mentions various entities and rituals which predate the founding of the religion. Gandareva is said to guard the sacred haoma plant and tried to keep it and its many benefits for himself. Vouru-Kasa a water god who is the keeper and protector of the waters of the Vourukasha Sea, the source of all waters, and is the embodiment of that sea. How these deities were venerated by the pre-Zoroastrian Persians is unclear but it is certain that rituals involved fire (considered a divine element and also a god), were conducted outdoors, and elevated the supreme principle of Goodness personified in the being of Ahura Mazda, king of the gods. It was probably compiled in the eighth and ninth centuries, though it reflects ancient Zorastrian (and pre-Zorastrian) teachings. Following his father's footsteps, Zoroaster entered the priesthood from a young age and seems to have been born into a relatively wealthy family. English/Language Arts: The study of creation myths from around the world can be an incredibly engaging and meaningful activity. Mark, published on 10 December 2019. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U W Y Z. Aeshma a demon of cruelty who inspires brutality; later re-imagined as one of the archangels. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. Vayu was considered a yazata (spirit worth worshipping) or a daeva (evil spirit) depending on how he sided at a given time. His grandson, Haoshyangha (Hushang), would later rework Gaya Maretan's early efforts and be known as the lawgiver. The dog is led in three times but, if it hesitates, can be led in as many as nine times to make sure all evil spirits have been dispersed. Karmak the giant bird of evil so large that its wings blot out the sky and prevent rain from falling, thereby bringing drought to the land. This renewal of interest is not easily explained. The Avesta gives no origin for this entity and seems to assume a prior knowledge among its audience of Angra Mainyu's existence and beginnings. She is sometimes referenced as the daughter of Ahura Mazda and Armaiti, combining wisdom and devotion, and so symbolizes the heart of religious belief. He then overthrew the king Jamshid and established a tyranny over the world which lasted 1,000 years. Main Carving, Rock-Cut Tombs of QizqapanOsama Shukir Muhammed Amin (Copyright). The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Mythology: An A-Z Guide to the Myths and Twelve Ancient Persian Mythological Creatures, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Once animals were created, Ahura Mazda then created human beings and then fire, but Gavaevodata was the first unique entity on earth and establishes the high value the Persians placed on animals. Kay Khosrow son of the hero Siyavash and warrior-king in the Shahnameh who avenges his father's death and rules justly after restoring order. The boy is taken by Simurgh, however, who raises him as her own son, and he develops amazing strength and superhuman powers. Saena (Senmurv) the great falcon who sits in the top branches of the Tree of All Seeds. To prove his innocence, he rode his great horse Shabrang Behzed through a towering fire and emerged unscathed. Aka Manah daeva (evil spirit) of sensuality and desire; tempter of the prophet Zoroaster who tried to seduce him away from devotion to Ahura Mazda. Help us and translate this article into another language! Afterwards, justified souls went on to paradise where they were reunited with those who had gone before; evil souls were dropped into a dark hell of torment. https://www.worldhistory.org/Ancient_Persian_Mythology/. Among the best known are: There were a number of other entities in addition to these, among the most important being the angel Suroosh guide of the dead and Daena the Holy Maiden both of whom met the soul at the crossing to the afterlife. Yima does so, and the world is saved. Gavaevodata, an androgyne, was so beautiful that Angra Mainyu killed it but Ahura Mazda purified the bull's seed and, from this, came all other animals on earth. He reigned for 300 years and then divided his kingdom between his sons Salm (West Asia, roughly), Tur (Central Asia, Kingdom of Turan), and Iraj (who received Iran). Followers who now live in India are called Parsis, or Parsees. The stories of these creatures, gods, and spirits as well as the heroes who contended with them were passed down in a long oral tradition until they were included in parts of the Avesta and, more fully, in the Shahnameh of Ferdowsi written between 977-1010 CE. Faravahar the famous Persian symbol of a royal figure seated on a solar disc in the center of outstretched wings, usually interpreted as representing divine grace and higher powers. Iran almanac and book of facts 19641965. The stories were passed down orally over the centuries until they were written down as part of the religious tradition of Zoroastrianism in the Avesta (Zoroastrian scripture) during the Sassanian Period (224-651 CE) in the reigns of the kings Shapur II (309-379 CE) and Kosrau I (531-579 CE) and then were fully addressed by the Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. 940-1020 CE) in his epic work Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) written between 977-1010 CE. He will be resurrected in the final days to slay the dragon Azhi Dahaka. We already have a better picture of how 2023 might unfold. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. The stories which form the basis of Persian mythology come from early Persian religious belief. Ahriman Statue Front ViewTouraj Daryaee (CC BY-NC-SA). Bahram god of victory in life and after death, associated with the warrior god Verethragna. Zal albino, the white-haired hero born to the king Sam and father of the champion Rustum. Cista - an early goddess of health and well-being who presided over one's path in life and also one's spiritual walk of faith. Her archenemy is Zarich, the demon of ageing. The human body is a microcosm that incorporates the same primordial elements and essential forces that make up the universe. He was also known as Thrisaok (meaning "three burning places") as deliverer of the fires which stood against the forces of darkness and chaos. She comes from the darkness of hell as soon as she hears someone has died and tries to contaminate the corpse before funerary rites are completed. Afterwards, his successors must struggle to maintain just rule since deception and trickery will now regularly play a part in politics. He is associated with Simurgh, the dog-bird, whose feathers could be used to invoke her in times of need. When a human encountered a jinn, the entity might grant the person's wishes or trick them at the last moment. Tistar god of rain, possibly another form of Tishtyra but most likely a separate deity. Her name means evil eye. Confused, the couple doubt their true creator's word and accept the lie of Angra Mainyu and so sin enters the world and harmony is lost. The mythology of any civilization reflects its core values, greatest fears, and highest hopes and so it is with the mythology of ancient Persia. The Huma was considered the most sacred bird and injuring or even attempting to injure it brought great misfortune. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. World History Encyclopedia, 10 Dec 2019. The Arabian NightsK.C. In some myths, he is the first king, in others Yima (Yama) is the first king and, in still others, Gaya Maretan and Haoshyangha follows after. Agas demon of illness, especially of the eyes. Royal Stars the four major stars which influenced or, at times, governed human events. Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. Bibliography Islamic myth and legend. Saurva demon of chaos and one of the central Daevas, archenemy of the Amesha Spenta Khshathra Vairya, protector of the desirable dominion of paradise. Siyavash hero of the Shahnameh symbolizing virtue, innocence, integrity, and courage. She is also associated with causing women's menstrual cycle but, as this is also said to have been instituted by Ahura Mazda and a natural occurrence, it is more likely she causes painful or difficult periods. Airyaman god of friendship, healing, reconciliation. World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. The other major sources for Persian mythology are the Shahnameh (The Book of Kings) written by the Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi (l. 940-1020 CE) drawing on the much earlier oral tradition, and the popular One Thousand Tales (better known as The Arabian Nights), written during the Sassanian Period (224-651 CE) and also based on oral tradition. Ardashir I & Ahura MazdaLutf 'Ali Khan (Copyright). He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level. Rustum and Sohrab meet in battle, neither knowing the other's identity, and Sohrab is killed. The soul was then called to cross a dark river to the land of the dead during which good souls were separated from bad ones (a process known as the Crossing of the Separator). Submitted by Joshua J. Simurgh known as the dog-bird was an enormous winged creature with the head of a dog, body of a peacock, and claws of a lion, sometimes also imagined with a human face. Manuchehr initiates the Iranian-Turanian War. There are two main parts to the Persian creation story this second part of the story is what we shall be focusing on for today's lesson in Persian mythology, the spirit of good, one of the original beings in the universe, was the creator of the world his name. The Huma Bird is a later version of Simurgh, who was said to fly eternally over the earth, never landing, and if its shadow should fall upon an individual, that person would be blessed and happy all the days of their lives. At the end of the bridge, the angel Rashnu would judge the soul based on its deeds in life and assign it a fitting home in the afterlife, either the House of Song (paradise) or the House of Lies (hell). The Umm-Naush were a subset of the evil spirits known as Khrafstra. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Allatum goddess of the underworld in the earliest vision of the Persian afterlife; later replaced by King Yima (also given as King Yama), the first mortal king to have died. Zam the earth, home of the mortals, which should be cared for as one cares for one's own house. Chamrosh is also a protective entity who defends Persians against outside invaders, especially raiders, swooping down upon them and carrying them off. Dragon-serpents ( azhi) frequently appear in Persian mythology as the embodiment of evil and disorder, and Azhi Dahaka was the most fearsome of them all. Mark, Joshua J.. "Ancient Persian Gods, Heroes, and Creatures - The Complete List." His seed was purified by the sun and engendered a rhubarb plant which later gave birth to the first mortal couple Mashya and Mashyanag, progenitors of all other humans. C ., Indo-European peoples migrated south from the steppes into the regions now known as Turkey, Iran, and northern India. The ahuras were good spirits and the daivas were evil; both influenced human life and thought. If someone saw or even thought they saw the bird flying overhead, however, it was a great blessing. World History Encyclopedia. Atar the god of fire who is also the personification of fire and physically present when fires are lighted. Hvar Ksata (Hvare Khshaeta) god of the full sun, the many-horsed god who drives his chariot across the sky throughout the day. One of the most feared supernatural entities was the Al (also known as the Hal and Umm Naush), a nocturnal demon who fed on the life-force of newborns. It is described as having a thousand senses and so is aware of any possible threat and can defend against it while, at the same time, knowing where its prey is at any time. Her name is translated to mean "to understand" or "to notice" and she inspired people to recognize the path they were on, change it if they were going wrong, and continue on with strength and perseverance if they were doing right (essentially, the personification of one's conscience).